The digital age has revolutionized communication, allowing instant and crisp connections transcending geographical boundaries. However, with the many calls and messages you enjoy making comes a barrage of unwanted contact, significantly disrupting your focus, leading to an information overload, and jeopardizing your privacy. The solution? Blocking!
Block contact on your Mac computer, and you’ll never have to see unwanted messages, audio, and video calls again. But beyond this surface-level utility of fending off unwanted contact, blocking is an excellent way to safeguard your mental well-being and take control over your digital experiences.
If you’re still on the fence about using this function, check out some scenarios where blocking is the best (and only) way to go.
Threats
While receiving threats online is usually less scary than being threatened in person, you should take every threat seriously. Ignoring or downplaying them can only exacerbate the situation.
So, take all the necessary screenshots for proof and block the contact sending you threats. This might be someone you know from real life or someone you met online. Whatever the case, blocking them will cut off their ability to intimidate you digitally.
You might also fall victim to cyber security threats, which can occur when malware infects your Mac. Block the dangerous contact and prevent further harm to your mental health and sensitive data. If there’s also a contact you suspect of spreading malware, it has to go too!
Persistent Harassment or Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is undoubtedly one of the most prevalent issues of the digital age. Unfortunately, this phenomenon affects children and adolescents the most, with as many as 37% of young people ages 12 to 17 experiencing bullying online.
While most harassment occurs on social media platforms, it’s not uncommon for these cyberbullies to send offensive messages directly to their targets. While you can’t control what gets posted online, you can block it from reaching you.
Block the number persistently harassing you, and create a safer digital environment for yourself.
Unsolicited Marketing Content
If you thought cold-calling was a thing of the past, we’ve got bad news. These annoying telemarketers haven’t gone anywhere. To make matters worse, they now have more avenues to reach you. If you can’t open your messages without being swarmed with marketing or promotional material, it’s time to block the number(s) sending you this unsolicited content. Besides keeping your inbox clutter-free, you’ll keep your mind at peace.
Scams and Frauds
Did you receive a message informing you that you’ve inherited a large sum of money from a distant relative or, even better, a Nigerian prince? If yes, it’s blocking time! If you feel like a contact is trying to scam or deceive you in any way, blocking it is your safest bet to protect yourself.
Unhealthy Relationships
There aren’t really rules regarding what is considered an unhealthy relationship. Generally, if someone brings you more harm than good, you’re probably better off without them.
Some people think that only the most toxic forms of behavior warrant blocking. But the truth is there don’t have to be any threats, insults, and inappropriate content for you to block a contact on Mac. As long as you feel that communicating with that person doesn’t bring anything positive to your daily life, you are more than justified in severing ties with them. Blocking allows you to create clear boundaries and protect your mental and emotional well-being.
Unwanted Content
Let’s not sugarcoat it – the internet is overflowing with weird people. And that’s putting it lightly. You never know who can get a hold of your number and start sending you explicit, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate content. Regardless of who the sender is, there’s absolutely no reason for you to subject yourself to such content. Hitting the “Block” button will, of course, take care of this problem.
Other Disturbances
Again, unwanted contact doesn’t have to reach extreme heights for you to take action. Even if it’s just about maintaining an uninterrupted workflow or enjoying leisure activities without constant interruptions, blocking is the way to go.
Block the Noise
There’s no need to overanalyze the act of blocking contacts online or justify it to other people or the person you’ve blocked. The “Block” button on your Mac (and beyond it) is nothing but a handy way to ensure your perfectly curated digital sanctuary remains undisturbed. Whether blocking is the only viable solution or the first line of defense, you’re well within your rights to fight for your personal safety and well-being with whatever means necessary.